Abstract: A method of characterizing a subterranean formation using a plurality of seismic acquisitions includes obtaining a first seismic acquisition of the subterranean formation, wherein the first seismic acquisition is a baseline survey. Injecting a gas fluid into the subterranean formation, wherein the gas fluid at least partially fills a portion of a fracture network of the subterranean formation. Obtaining a second seismic acquisition of the subterranean formation. Calculating a time-lapse difference in the plurality of seismic acquisitions.

Abstract: A data bus coupler includes a plated composite housing and a plurality of twin axial contacts, the shielding portions of each contact being connected to the housing by a conductive insert which serves to retain the contacts in the connector. The coupler also includes a printed circuit board carrying transformers and isolation resistors for providing stub connections to a data bus line.

Abstract: A stress-softened thermoplastic elastomeric (TPE) film which has been subjected to tensional deformation comprising at least uniaxial strain, and having improved textural and thermal transmissivity characteristics, as compared to a native, unstretched material. Such stress-softened thermoplastic elastomeric film may be employed in a wide variety of articles, including condoms, finger cots, tubular bandages, and the like. Condoms comprising such stress-softened TPE film are described, including condoms having a main sheath comprising stress-softened and non-stress-softened areas in a pattern or other predetermined arrangement. A variety of methods and apparatus for forming stress-softened tubular articles of thermoplastic elastomeric film is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a condom from a precursor tubular element formed of elastic film material, having a closed distal end and an open proximal end. The precursor tubular element is placed over a tubular mandril and expanded outwardly from the mandril against a surrounding cylindrical chamber, following which the expanded precursor tubular element is deflated for subsequent condom usage.

Abstract: An article having a main sheath portion formed of a flexible and/or elastic material closed at a distal end thereof and open at a proximal end thereof, with a first flange element formed of a flexible and elastic material, and having an aperture formed or pressure-formable therein, secured to the open proximal end of the sheath. In a single flange embodiment, the main sheath portion may be provided in a center-compacted configuration, for bidirectional application of the sheath. In a multi-flange embodiment, a second flange element is secured at an outer portion thereof to the first flange element and has an aperture formed or pressure-formable therein, in substantial alignment with the aperture of the first flange element, whereby the sheath is extended or extensible from a compacted state through the aperture in either the first or the second flange element. In a specific embodiment, the article comprises a condom which may be donned in either of two directions.

Abstract: A stress-softened thermoplastic elastomeric (TPE) film which has been subjected to tensional deformation comprising at least uniaxial strain, and having improved textural and thermal transmissivity characteristics, as compared to a native, unstretched material. Such stress-softened thermoplastic elastomeric film may be employed in a wide variety of articles, including condoms, finger cots, tubular bandages, and the like. Condoms comprising such stress-softened TPE film are described, including condoms having a main sheath comprising stress-softened and non-stress-softened areas in a pattern or other predetermined arrangement. A variety of methods and apparatus for forming stress-softened tubular articles of thermoplastic elastomeric film is disclosed.

Abstract: Condoms are disclosed of the type comprising a main sheath portion closed at a distal end and open at a proximal end thereof, which are amenable to construction from thermoplastic elastomeric materials. In one preferred aspect, such condoms comprise an annular-shaped sealing element, formed of an elastic material, circumscribing an interior opening of smaller size than the proximal end opening of the condom, and joined at the outer periphery of the sealing element to the main sheath, at or in the vicinity of the proximal end opening. Such construction thereby provides a membrane dam in the proximal segment of the condom to enhance its effectiveness as a contraceptive and to minimize the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases. Also disclosed are various condom manufacturing and processing apparatuses, as well as applicators for applying the condoms to the penis of a wearer.

Abstract: A method of providing a convoluted area on a first thermoplastic elastomeric film, by applying to the film, one or more discrete pieces of a second thermoplastic elastomeric film, wherein the second film is differentially expandable as compared to the underlying first film. The differential expansion may be caused by application of an agent which causes the second film to swell. Products made according to this method may have elongated strips or other shapes of the second film bonded to the first film in areas of the product for which convolutions, puckers or other regular or irregular deformations are desired.

Abstract: A condom package and donning device, comprising an enclosure and one or more condom attachment means. When the enclosure is separated into enclosure pieces, the condom opening is exposed for donning. When there are attachment means affixed to more than one enclosure piece, opening the device causes separation of the attachment means from each other, causing the proximal end of the attached condom to open for donning the condom. The condom may be released from the package device after donning.

Abstract: A condom having a blow formed tubular main sheath portion, and a method for making the condom. Blow extrusion techniques of fabrication are described, together with the use of various thermoplastic materials of construction, including polyurethanes, polyether block amides, styrene-rubber-styrene block copolymers, ethylene-octene copolymers, and polyesters. The condom is made by blow extruding a tubular film of thermoplastic material to form a main sheath portion, severing the main sheath portion into one or more condom pieces, and sealing one end of each piece.

Abstract: Textured and embossed films are described which are usefully employed in the manufacture of condom articles. In one aspect, an elastic film is provided with an embossed pattern thereon comprising from about 1,000 to about 100,000 embossments per square inch of embossed surface. In another aspect, particularly advantageous in imparting extensibility characteristics to low elasticity or inelastic films, the film is textured with longitudinal and transverse fold lines defining respective longitudinal and transverse waveform profiles and comprising planar polygonal surface portions between and bounded by adjacent longitudinal parallel fold lines and adjacent transverse parallel fold lines, with from about 100 to about 100,000 polygonal surface portions per square inch of textured film surface. Corresponding methods for making such embossed and textured films are disclosed.

Abstract: Condoms are disclosed of the type having a main sheath portion closed at a distal end and open at a proximal end thereof, which are amenable to construction from thermoplastic elastomeric materials. In one preferred aspect, such condoms have an annular-shaped sealing element, formed of an elastic material, circumscribing an interior opening of smaller size than the proximal end opening of the condom, and joined at the outer periphery of the sealing element to the main sheath, at or in the vicinity of the proximal end opening. Such construction thereby provides a membrane dam in the proximal segment of the condom to enhance its effectiveness as a contraceptive and to minimize the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases. Also disclosed are various condom manufacturing and processing apparatuses, as well as applicators for applying the condoms to the penis of a wearer.

Abstract: Condoms are disclosed of the type having a main sheath portion closed at a distal end and open at a proximal end thereof, which are amenable to construction from thermoplastic elastomeric materials. In one preferred aspect, such condoms have an annular-shaped sealing element, formed of an elastic material, circumscribing an interior opening of smaller size than the proximal end opening of the condom, and joined at the outer periphery of the sealing element to the main sheath, at or in the vicinity of the proximal end opening. Such construction thereby provides a membrane dam in the proximal segment of the condom to enhance its effectiveness as a contraceptive and to minimize the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases. Also disclosed are various condom manufacturing and processing apparatuses, as well as applicators for applying the condoms to the penis of a wearer.

Abstract: A composite caul plate includes a replaceable insert plate bearing a wood-grain pattern. The insert plate is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to mount to the caul plate. The insert plate is secured in position by means of rib elements having formations for retaining the insert plate against a base plate.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for removing an intrauterine device with a retracted marker tail or an intrauterine device without a marker tail. The device comprises a handle slidably received within a sheath and having resilient bristle means with hooks on the probing end thereof for engaging a retracted tail, or the like.

Abstract: A wood product including a quantity of adhesive coated coarse wood particles disposed between a pair of cellulosic fiber webs is embossed in a heated press by means of a caul plate carrying a plurality of inserts adapted to impress a desired relief design comprising a plurality of adjacent but independent panel configurations in the wood product. The inserts are attached to the caul plate and extend to selected levels for compressing the wood product to different embossing levels characterizing each panel configuration. The individual caul inserts are machined to shape and are separately photo-etched to receive a desired decorative pattern thereon, after which the inserts are assembled onto the caul plate for impressing the wood product. The panel configurations produced in the wood product are suitably separated into substantially rigid, embossed furniture elements or parts having a carved or inlaid appearance.

Abstract: An osmotic cervical dilator has a sponge-like synthetic plastic body in which all the residual void spaces in the body are filled with a salt composition and the body shaped for insertion and retention in the cervix of the patient. The dilator, once inserted and retained by the cervix, is adapted to draw and to expand by osmotic effect and to retain cervical fluids and particularly water contained in the cervix.

Abstract: A forcep-like instrument is provided for mounting and ejecting either an elastic band or a hood for an occlusion procedure.

Abstract: A rigid building component such as a door, table top or the like, is formed of coarse wooden particles mixed with adhesive, and a solid wooden edge frame, positioned between a pair of damp, substantially parallel, cellulosic fiber webs. A heated press is employed to compact the combination, particularly between the edge frame and the cellulosic fiber webs where the coarse wooden particles are greatly compressed to provide a durable edge. Under the heat and pressure applied in the press the particles are consolidated into a solid structure, while the damp cellulosic fiber webs are converted to tough exterior skins bonded to the coarse wooden particles. The sides of the rigid building component are suitably deeply embossed to provide a decorative paneled appearance.

Abstract: A rigid building component such as a door, table top or the like, is formed of coarse wooden particles mixed with adhesive, and a solid wooden edge frame, positioned between a pair of damp, substantially parallel, cellulosic fiber webs. A heated press is employed to compact the combination, particularly between the edge frame and the cellulosic fiber webs where the coarse wooden particles are greatly compressed to provide a durable edge. Under the heat and pressure applied in the press the particles are consolidated into a solid structure, while the damp cellulosic fiber webs are converted to tough exterior skins bonded to the coarse wooden particles. The sides of the rigid building component are suitably deeply embossed to provide a decorative paneled appearance.